Across the Boards - Summer 2018

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Arts Features:

Halton District School Board

Band Extravaganza

Approximately 900
Halton District School Board music students in Grade 7 and 8, representing 24 elementary schools convened for two special days of music collaboration, called Band Extravaganza on Tuesday, March 27 and Wednesday March 28, 2018. The event, was held each day at the Burlington Music Centre (2311 New Street) and Burlington Seniors' Centre (2285 New Street).

Students started each day with a concert by the Halton Junior Jazz Band. Afterward, students traveled to breakout clinics specifically for their instrument and later reconvened for a massed band rehearsal with guest conductors both days.

This year, the Board commissioned two original concert band compositions for this event: The Call to Adventure, by composer David Marlatt, and The Conquest by Ryan Meeboer, a teacher at Alexander's Public School in Burlington.

These pieces were directed by the composers and played for the first time by Halton students.

"The students looked forward to rehearsing and performing in this massed band as it is inspirational and grandiose," said Rebecca MacRae, the Board's Instructional Program Leader (The Arts, K-12). "Music performance is the major curriculum connection during Band Extravanagza, as the students learn and perform two brand new pieces in one day."